The MPEG-LA video standards group has revealed their overhauled AVC License this week, and in a somewhat surprising move, the group has made H.264 and AVC video use on the Internet permanently royalty-free.
MPEG-LA had planned to begin charging companies to use streaming H.264 in 2016 but now it will be free indefinitely as long as the viewers aren't being charged.
Pay-for video, and corporate use, will require a license, which costs money.
H.264 is now effectively available for HTML5 video, as well as for use within Flash containers.
Google created the WebM standard to rival H.264, although most of its advantages are negated now, since both will be free and offer similar perks.
MPEG-LA says that WebM violates patents and that users may eventually be forced to pay in the long term.
Pay-for video, and corporate use, will require a license, which costs money.
H.264 is now effectively available for HTML5 video, as well as for use within Flash containers.
Google created the WebM standard to rival H.264, although most of its advantages are negated now, since both will be free and offer similar perks.
MPEG-LA says that WebM violates patents and that users may eventually be forced to pay in the long term.
